Mark Downie
@poppastring.com
🧑🏾💻OSS (dasBlog)
🏢PM @ Microsoft (Visual Studio, Core AI)
🏀📖🎸
✝️
poppastring.com/blog
🏢PM @ Microsoft (Visual Studio, Core AI)
🏀📖🎸
✝️
poppastring.com/blog
Pinned
Mark Downie
@poppastring.com
· Oct 23
A starter pack If you're looking to follow folks from Microsoft's Core AI Developer Division.
go.bsky.app/JuyrK9N
go.bsky.app/JuyrK9N
Visual Studio Code CMake Tools 1.22: Target bookmarks and better CTest output
devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/visu...
#visualstudio
devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/visu...
#visualstudio
Visual Studio Code CMake Tools 1.22: Target bookmarks and better CTest output - C++ Team Blog
We’re excited to announce the latest 1.22 release of the CMake Tools extension for Visual Studio Code. This update brings a host of new additions, including project outline updates for filtering and…
devblogs.microsoft.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Visual Studio Code CMake Tools 1.22: Target bookmarks and better CTest output
devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/visu...
#visualstudio
devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/visu...
#visualstudio
Reposted by Mark Downie
Hey #OpenTelemetry folks in the #dotnet space!
Is it ok to set "System.Diagnostics.Activity.Current = null" if I want to start a new trace? Or is there a better way?
My problem: I use an Observable in a BackgroundService which gets "OnNext" in scoped (http) requests.
1/2
Is it ok to set "System.Diagnostics.Activity.Current = null" if I want to start a new trace? Or is there a better way?
My problem: I use an Observable in a BackgroundService which gets "OnNext" in scoped (http) requests.
1/2
January 28, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Hey #OpenTelemetry folks in the #dotnet space!
Is it ok to set "System.Diagnostics.Activity.Current = null" if I want to start a new trace? Or is there a better way?
My problem: I use an Observable in a BackgroundService which gets "OnNext" in scoped (http) requests.
1/2
Is it ok to set "System.Diagnostics.Activity.Current = null" if I want to start a new trace? Or is there a better way?
My problem: I use an Observable in a BackgroundService which gets "OnNext" in scoped (http) requests.
1/2
I have to practice saying "I do not know" a lot more. I tend to say, "I am not sure" when in fact what I mean is "I do not know".
January 28, 2026 at 8:27 PM
I have to practice saying "I do not know" a lot more. I tend to say, "I am not sure" when in fact what I mean is "I do not know".
A post from the archive 📫:
Debugger Text Visualizer
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/debugger-text-visualizer
#debugging #visualstudio
Debugger Text Visualizer
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/debugger-text-visualizer
#debugging #visualstudio
January 28, 2026 at 7:35 PM
A post from the archive 📫:
Debugger Text Visualizer
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/debugger-text-visualizer
#debugging #visualstudio
Debugger Text Visualizer
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/debugger-text-visualizer
#debugging #visualstudio
Reposted by Mark Downie
Updates for Wed., Jan. 28:
- Waived fares are extended through the end of service, tomorrow, Jan. 28.
- COTA//Plus will operate in all zones.
- Mainstream is prioritizing life-crucial trips.
- The Customer Experience Center is open. For immediate needs, call 614-228-1776.
- Waived fares are extended through the end of service, tomorrow, Jan. 28.
- COTA//Plus will operate in all zones.
- Mainstream is prioritizing life-crucial trips.
- The Customer Experience Center is open. For immediate needs, call 614-228-1776.
January 27, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Updates for Wed., Jan. 28:
- Waived fares are extended through the end of service, tomorrow, Jan. 28.
- COTA//Plus will operate in all zones.
- Mainstream is prioritizing life-crucial trips.
- The Customer Experience Center is open. For immediate needs, call 614-228-1776.
- Waived fares are extended through the end of service, tomorrow, Jan. 28.
- COTA//Plus will operate in all zones.
- Mainstream is prioritizing life-crucial trips.
- The Customer Experience Center is open. For immediate needs, call 614-228-1776.
Reposted by Mark Downie
We’ve expanded your connections in Groveport! Lines 22 and 24 no longer end at the Marathon — they now continue to the Mobility Center at Rickenbacker, connecting you to jobs, services and the GREAT Shuttle. Details at COTA.com/servicechanges.
January 27, 2026 at 10:02 PM
We’ve expanded your connections in Groveport! Lines 22 and 24 no longer end at the Marathon — they now continue to the Mobility Center at Rickenbacker, connecting you to jobs, services and the GREAT Shuttle. Details at COTA.com/servicechanges.
Reposted by Mark Downie
"Every day, I wake up and see the news and I'm horrified. I think it is crazy that some people make it sound like it's acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable." - Victor Wembanyama says about the killings in Minnesota
Via DonHarris4/X
Via DonHarris4/X
January 27, 2026 at 7:59 PM
"Every day, I wake up and see the news and I'm horrified. I think it is crazy that some people make it sound like it's acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable." - Victor Wembanyama says about the killings in Minnesota
Via DonHarris4/X
Via DonHarris4/X
Reposted by Mark Downie
Random complaint – I hate how much space Gmail puts around lists.
January 27, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Random complaint – I hate how much space Gmail puts around lists.
Reposted by Mark Downie
Our crews are working 12-hour back-to-back shifts to get your streets safe and passable. Give our Snow Warriors some appreciation in the comments!
Check out where our #SnowWarriors have been at warriorwatch.columbus.gov❄️
Check out where our #SnowWarriors have been at warriorwatch.columbus.gov❄️
January 27, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Our crews are working 12-hour back-to-back shifts to get your streets safe and passable. Give our Snow Warriors some appreciation in the comments!
Check out where our #SnowWarriors have been at warriorwatch.columbus.gov❄️
Check out where our #SnowWarriors have been at warriorwatch.columbus.gov❄️
Reposted by Mark Downie
semi-regular reminder that I wrote a whole book explaining how and why originalism sucks shit and what we should be doing instead, and I would very much appreciate it if you and your peeps gave it a read
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735353...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735353...
The Originalism Trap by Madiba K. Dennie: 9780593729250 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
A rallying cry for a more just approach to the law that bolsters social justice movements by throwing out originalism—the theory that judges should interpret the Constitution exactly as conservatives....
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:16 PM
semi-regular reminder that I wrote a whole book explaining how and why originalism sucks shit and what we should be doing instead, and I would very much appreciate it if you and your peeps gave it a read
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735353...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735353...
Reposted by Mark Downie
Module 1 of Data Engineering Zoomcamp done! 🎉
- Docker containers
- Postgres & SQL
- Terraform & GCP
- NYC taxi data pipeline
Free course by DataTalks Club: github.com/DataTalksClu...
That was a LOT for the first section, but I finished it in the nick of time 😅
- Docker containers
- Postgres & SQL
- Terraform & GCP
- NYC taxi data pipeline
Free course by DataTalks Club: github.com/DataTalksClu...
That was a LOT for the first section, but I finished it in the nick of time 😅
GitHub - DataTalksClub/data-engineering-zoomcamp: Data Engineering Zoomcamp is a free 9-week course on building production-ready data pipelines. The next cohort starts in January 2026. Join the course...
Data Engineering Zoomcamp is a free 9-week course on building production-ready data pipelines. The next cohort starts in January 2026. Join the course here 👇🏼 - DataTalksClub/data-engineering-zoomcamp
github.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Module 1 of Data Engineering Zoomcamp done! 🎉
- Docker containers
- Postgres & SQL
- Terraform & GCP
- NYC taxi data pipeline
Free course by DataTalks Club: github.com/DataTalksClu...
That was a LOT for the first section, but I finished it in the nick of time 😅
- Docker containers
- Postgres & SQL
- Terraform & GCP
- NYC taxi data pipeline
Free course by DataTalks Club: github.com/DataTalksClu...
That was a LOT for the first section, but I finished it in the nick of time 😅
Reposted by Mark Downie
If you have a gas furnace or dryer in your home make sure to clear snow away from your exhaust vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
January 26, 2026 at 1:33 AM
If you have a gas furnace or dryer in your home make sure to clear snow away from your exhaust vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Reposted by Mark Downie
Anyone on Linux want to test my beta Linux build? github.com/shanselman/b...
January 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Anyone on Linux want to test my beta Linux build? github.com/shanselman/b...
Just published 🚀: Leadership from Birds
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/leadership-from-birds
#leadership #productdevelopment #musings
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/leadership-from-birds
#leadership #productdevelopment #musings
January 26, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Just published 🚀: Leadership from Birds
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/leadership-from-birds
#leadership #productdevelopment #musings
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/leadership-from-birds
#leadership #productdevelopment #musings
Reposted by Mark Downie
ICE killing #AlexPretti should remind you of police killing #PhilandoCastille. Both men had concealed weapon permits, did not draw their guns, & were killed in Minn. These homicides are the price of unaccountable policing. These deaths are variations on the same fatal theme.
January 25, 2026 at 4:36 AM
ICE killing #AlexPretti should remind you of police killing #PhilandoCastille. Both men had concealed weapon permits, did not draw their guns, & were killed in Minn. These homicides are the price of unaccountable policing. These deaths are variations on the same fatal theme.
A post from the archive 📫:
Curiosity unbounded
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/curiosity-unbounded
#musings
Curiosity unbounded
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/curiosity-unbounded
#musings
January 24, 2026 at 7:35 PM
A post from the archive 📫:
Curiosity unbounded
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/curiosity-unbounded
#musings
Curiosity unbounded
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/curiosity-unbounded
#musings
Reposted by Mark Downie
The health care savings from my legislation led to the LOWEST uninsured rate in American history and helped 4 in 5 Americans find health care for $10 or less a month.
The Senate needs to act and restore these tax credits immediately.
The Senate needs to act and restore these tax credits immediately.
January 23, 2026 at 8:47 PM
The health care savings from my legislation led to the LOWEST uninsured rate in American history and helped 4 in 5 Americans find health care for $10 or less a month.
The Senate needs to act and restore these tax credits immediately.
The Senate needs to act and restore these tax credits immediately.
Reposted by Mark Downie
🥳 Excited to share that I’m joining @Block as Senior Staff Developer Relations Engineer, Applied AI! I’ll be working with
@angiejones.tech and @blackgirlbytes.bsky.social to explore what’s possible in AI and help you all navigate this fast-changing space. Let’s go! 💙 Starting sooooon
@angiejones.tech and @blackgirlbytes.bsky.social to explore what’s possible in AI and help you all navigate this fast-changing space. Let’s go! 💙 Starting sooooon
January 23, 2026 at 3:45 PM
🥳 Excited to share that I’m joining @Block as Senior Staff Developer Relations Engineer, Applied AI! I’ll be working with
@angiejones.tech and @blackgirlbytes.bsky.social to explore what’s possible in AI and help you all navigate this fast-changing space. Let’s go! 💙 Starting sooooon
@angiejones.tech and @blackgirlbytes.bsky.social to explore what’s possible in AI and help you all navigate this fast-changing space. Let’s go! 💙 Starting sooooon
Reposted by Mark Downie
At Gallows Wharf, volunteers are trialling a faster rolling pour for the concrete base.
There’s an end-stop issue to iron out, but 15 metres poured in one week is a big step forward.
Huge credit to the team 👏
#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
There’s an end-stop issue to iron out, but 15 metres poured in one week is a big step forward.
Huge credit to the team 👏
#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
January 23, 2026 at 1:14 PM
At Gallows Wharf, volunteers are trialling a faster rolling pour for the concrete base.
There’s an end-stop issue to iron out, but 15 metres poured in one week is a big step forward.
Huge credit to the team 👏
#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
There’s an end-stop issue to iron out, but 15 metres poured in one week is a big step forward.
Huge credit to the team 👏
#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
January 23, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Reposted by Mark Downie
ICE Agents Wait At Edge Of Delivery Table To Deport Newborn
January 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM
ICE Agents Wait At Edge Of Delivery Table To Deport Newborn
Just published 🚀: Color‑Driven Code Navigation
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/colordriven-code-navigation
#visualstudio
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/colordriven-code-navigation
#visualstudio
January 22, 2026 at 4:17 AM
Just published 🚀: Color‑Driven Code Navigation
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/colordriven-code-navigation
#visualstudio
https://www.poppastring.com/blog/colordriven-code-navigation
#visualstudio